Morning journal and courier., 1887-03-21

ted and declared national property. Some of the princes of the blood and the enigres had magnificent collections of books, and these were among the spells. For months books came pouring into Paris from all di- rections. Among the collections were those of Talleyrand, Rochochouart, Philippe dor leans, Rsnard, Montaigne, Choiseul, Egmont and Montmorency. Some of the books were sent to the Serbonne, but the majority fell to the national library. The librarians were quite overwhelmed with the hauls that were carted pell- -mell into the building, and the sudden acquisition upset the whole organiza- tion of the library. The Terror decreed that copy of every book published in France should be sent for preservation in the na- tional library, and not content with appro- priating all the great collections they could lay their hands on, sent out commissioners to Greece, Italy, Germany and other eoun- tries to buy more. In 1907 it was roughly estimated that the library contained about half million of books. Then came Ma poleon, who was also good to the library. Wherever his victorious hosts went a flock of human vultures followed, carrying off the booty, and thus more hauls of books were brought to the French capital. But not all to remain there, for after Waterloo Germany, Belgium, Bavaria, Austria and other countries stepped in and claimed their prints and manuscripts.
 Since the days of Napoleon the library has gone on augmenting. Now and then an extraordinary grant has been given to purchase books, and every printer is bound to send two copies of every book he prints to the library. This is very unsatisfac- tory arrangement, as printer sometimes means printer, engraver and binder, so that frequently the books reach the library by miscellaneous; and then only by the round about way of general depot The num- Der sent to the depot fuctuates greatly. From 1860 to 1874 the number of books Paris produced was nearly double that which came from the provinces, but since that time the provinces a long way ahead, whether this be criterion to lite rary activity or not. In 1881 books from Paris mum mbered nine thousand seven hun dred and two; from the departm ents twen- ty-tbree thousand and ninety-four; and in 1884 books from Paris were eight thousand one hundred and ffty-six; those from the departments fifty thousand six hundred and six. This does not include periodical pub Iications. Other means which the library has of increasing it's stock is by exchang- ing duplicate copies with foreign libraries, by receiving from learned societies, by do- nations and by purchases. In 1884 five thousand six hundred and nine books were bought and fouf thousand and forty-nine received as donations. The total number of books in the library is about two and half millions. Only part of the books are oatalogued, and all the catalogues are not
 
 historical works is complete and includes three hundred and sixty-three thousand one hundred and twenty-five books on French history alone. There are sets of imperfect catalogues which the librarians use and try to ferret out works asked for, but not always with success. Since 1871 catalogue of the new acquisitions has been issued as month ly periodical-not 8 convenient method and a subject list of recent works exists. The reading room-salle de tIavail-is much less than the reading room of the British museum, and cannot be compared to it in point of arrangement, convenience with regard to the service. Readers have to go through useless formalities, but more or less red tape must be expected at every French institution. No writing material beyond ink is supplied, and should anyone attempt to pass out of the room with twopenny note book in his hand, though it is his own prop erty, the functionary at the entrance will come down upon him like a detective on a walking of with national property, he must be furnished with laissez passer. In 1884 seventy one thousand nine hundred and thirtytwo readers went to this room and two hundred and thirteen thousand seven hundred and forty-four books were referred to. There is another room for con- sulting manuscripts, department for engra- wings and maps and public room which is open to everybody without tickets, and fur nished with about fifty thousand books of general literature. The library is open from ten to four o'clock on week days, and the public part on Sundays as we'll. From 8 fear that the buildings would be set on fire no light has ever been introduced into it. The sum allowed for expenses is not third of that which is given to the British museum library.